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New York, May 6,2003 - Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading nonprofit, victim assistance, advocacy and violence prevention organization was joined today by more than one-thousand of New York’s corporate, civic and social leaders to celebrate its 25th anniversary by honoring businesses and individuals whose efforts have made significant contributions to ending violence and victimization.
“Every year, Safe Horizon provides life-saving assistance to more than 350,000 New Yorkers, a mission we would be unable to carry out without the critical support of the people and corporations we are honoring today,” said Gordon J. Campbell, Safe Horizon Chief Executive Officer.
The Founders Award was presented to Lucy N. Friedman, who founded what was then Victim Services in 1978, and whose dedication, creativity and ingenuity guided the organization for 20 years. The award was presented to Ms. Friedman by Brooke McMurray, Safe Horizon’s Board Chair and a survivor of domestic violence.
“Twenty-five years ago, when Victim Services was started by a small group of committed and caring people, we didn’t imagine that we would grow to be the country’s premier victim assistance organization, and in the process, transform public policy,” said Ms. Friedman. “It is gratifying to know that our mission has stood the test of time and that the organization continues to be a refuge that victims of crime and abuse can count on both for solace and for help in taking back their lives.”
Safe Horizon presented the 2003 Champion Award to Bruce J. Klatsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, in recognition of the company’s support for Safe Horizon and dedication to empowering individuals affected by violence and abuse.
“This award is a great honor. But I must emphasize that credit for it really belongs to an incredible group of our employees, who brought Safe Horizon to our attention,” said Mr. Klatsky. “Quite apart from the financial support our company has provided, these employees have devoted an incredible amount of time and energy to this very worthy cause, adopting a Safe Horizon shelter and raising tens of thousands of dollars to help it fulfill its mission. We are very proud of these employees, who so wonderfully exemplify our company’s global commitment to working to improve the communities in which we operate. We are delighted to add our support to their efforts.”
Dick Parsons, Chairman-elect of AOL, Time Warner, presented a special Safe Horizon 25th Anniversary Leadership Award to Louis C. Camilleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altria Group, Inc. The Award recognizes Altria’s longtime partnership with Safe Horizon and their dedication and commitment to domestic violence awareness and prevention in the corporate workplace.
“Altria’s close partnership with Safe Horizon has been a key component of our commitment to domestic violence awareness and prevention programs. It is a privilege and an honor to be associated with an organization that does so much good work, and does it so well,” said Mr. Camilleri. “Many years ago, the Altria family of companies came to realize that domestic violence is not just someone else’s problem. We were determined to help bring the problem out into the light, where more could be done about it. Domestic violence hurts everyone, and domestic violence prevention is important to the business community, just as it is vital for society as a whole,” continued Mr. Camilleri.
The driving force behind this year’s Champion Awards Luncheon, which raised $1 million, is Cynthia Lufkin, Vice-Chair of the Safe Horizon Board of Directors and Luncheon Chair. “Chairing this event has been an honor,” said Ms. Lufkin. “I have been continually impressed by the generosity and spirit of everyone who has helped make today possible. This funding comes at a critical time. Given the economic climate, we must depend more heavily on our friends and partners in the private sector to make sure there is a Safe Horizon for anyone who needs it.”
Gordon J. Campbell echoed those thoughts when he said that, “Our 25th anniversary comes at a time when the City and state are under intense budget pressures and private giving institutions are curtailing their giving. We need every dollar we have raised today, so that we can cover our budgets and keep our programs open and accessible to all New Yorkers.”
The guest speaker at today’s Luncheon was Gavin de Becker, widely regarded as our Nation’s leading expert on the prediction and management of violence. He is the best-selling author of The Gift of Fear, Protecting the Gift, and Fear Less. His work has earned him three Presidential appointments and a position on a congressional committee. He was twice appointed to the President’s Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Justice, and was a principal advisor on the federal research project into mentally ill people who stalk public figures. He is an activist for families affected by violence, discussing the topic on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, Larry King Live, 20/20, and in the pages of Time, Newsweek and the New York Times. Mr. de Becker is currently co-chair of the Domestic Violence Council Advisory Board.
Linda Fairstein acted as Master of Ceremony. Ms. Fairstein, former prosecutor and best-selling crime novelist, is America’s foremost expert on crimes of violence against women and children. She is a member of Safe Horizon’s Board of Directors
A video presentation about Safe Horizon was narrated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw, Anchor and Managing Editor of ‘NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,’ Contributing Anchor, “Dateline NBC,” Program and author of “The Greatest Generation,” “The Greatest Generation Speaks” and “An Album of Memories.”
The afternoon concluded on a high note. In the opera box on the first tier, poised in front of a Baby Grand piano, was a very special supporter of Safe Horizon…“the Divine Ms. M” Bette Midler, who belted out her own rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Others who came to support Safe Horizon included Dominick Dunne, Donna Hanover, The Honorable Ed Koch, The Honorable Gifford Miller, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles-Roman, Jack Rudin, Paul Charron, Dan Lufkin, Somers Farkas, Susan and Peter Solomon, Christine Baranski, Diane von Furstenberg, Nicole Miller, Linda Fairstein, Julie Chen, Gayle King, Tovah Feldshuh, Cornelia Guest, Lydia Hearst, Somers Farkas, CeCe Cord, Jessica Seinfeld, Malaak Compton-Rock, Muffie Potter Aston, Beth Rudin deWoody, Karen LeFrak, Felicia Taylor, Patricia Duff, Patricia Altschul, Grace Hightower, Tara Rockefeller, Dayle Haddon, others.
Past Champion Award recipients include Harvey Weinstein, The Ladies of The View -- Barbara Walters, Meredith Viera, Joy Behar, Star Jones and Lisa Ling, Ellen Levine, Paul Charron for Liz Claiborne, and Linda Fairstein.
Honorees Awards were generously donated by Steuben.
Safe Horizon’s mission is to provide support, prevent violence and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities. We pursue this mission every day through more than 80 programs in schools, courts, police precincts, domestic violence shelters, Child Advocacy Centers, and 24-hour hotlines, helping more than 350,000 New Yorkers each year. Safe Horizon also played a critical role in aiding victims of the September 11th attack, distributing more than $100 million in emergency financial relief and providing counseling and support services to more than 46,000 individuals affected by the tragedy.
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